Why are Fender amps so expensive/ Are Hartkes any good?

Those are the two questions I'd like to ask.
Fender amps... for the same wattage/impedance they are so much more expensive than other amps, and from what I know Fender amps arent all that great either. Why??? Hartkes... are they any good?

Fender amps aren't more expensive than comparable amps, they're cheaper. I've played through a Bassman 400 2x10 combo several times, and was very impressed with the sound. Compare the price of the Bassman to that of the SWR Super Redhead or Eden Metro, the amps against which it was designed to compete.

I like both of my fender amps. I have a BassMan 200 that i use for everything from big band on upright [i have to do some MAJOR EQing when using the upright bass though] to Show Choir Band on the Ray5. The other fender amp i have is a bedroom practice amp in that of a BXR 15-my first amp. It's good for practicing in my room. Thats all

I agree with Munji and Casanova: the Bassman400 2x10 is a pretty nice combo for the price. I also use an older BXR 60 as a practice amp and it's clean and does the job nicely. Well worth the dough if you don't need much wattage, as in a practice situation and it has a headphone jack if you need it.

I had a BXR 400 for years and it was great once I attached it to some decent speakers. The matching BXR speaker cabs were awful. I can't bring myself to buy an Eminance loaded cab ever again after that experience, though I'm apparently being silly about that......

i have a Fender Bassman 100 that i got for $499 at Guitar Center...not on sale :-( anyway, i think it has excellent tone... but it is damn heavy, i had to buy a hand truck to tote it around but it still sucks to lug up a stairs, and the high end volume will make it clip.... in a gig or full practice with a drummer and 2 guitars it CANNOT hold its own. in mini practice it's fine though...but is 60lbs necessary for mini practice? i wish i had something, smaller, lighter, louder and cheaper...

Originally posted by Petebass I had a BXR 400 for years and it was great once I attached it to some decent speakers. The matching BXR speaker cabs were awful. I can't bring myself to buy an Eminance loaded cab ever again after that experience, though I'm apparently being silly about that......

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Although I thought they sounded pretty good (afterall wouldnt have bought it if it didnt) I do agree, when I used the line out, it always sounded 10 fold better than just using the speaker it came with.

I have a Bassman 100 and it's great for what I use it for: church and practice (when I don't feel like lugging the bigger rig). Like tyson said above, it's not gonna cut it vs. 2 guitars and a loud drummer unless you use the DI and play through the PA.
It does have some nice features, nice tone, and is an overall solid amp. I agree it is heavy.

I personally do not know of any serious working bassist who plays thru a fender rig. Unless it's part of a backline. I'm sure I'll hear from some now though...
If you play Rock or Funk the only amp to have is an older early 70's SVT head. If you look when bands do SNL or Late Night etc. you will 9 times out of 10 see an old SVT rig being used. Nothing comes close to that warm phat tube sound. The Mesa Boogie tube amp is also quite nice.
Now I don't know that i'd recommend an SVT for the Jazzmen out there, probably an Eden head or SWR would suit them better. But for Rock or Funk nothing comes close to an old SVT.
They are worth every penny. You can grab one from $800 to $1,500 u.s.. Get the ones with the black knobs and white switches (early 70's).
I recently saw Macy Gray and her bassist (a funk monster) was using an "ashworth" never heard of them, had a real retro look (VU meter and everythang). But it had a great phat sound close to that of the SVT.
As far as solid state goes I always had succes with GK heads, 800RB great for clubs and such. But it simply does not compare to the SVT tube sound.
Peace

Originally posted by mcbassdude ...
I recently saw Macy Gray and her bassist (a funk monster) was using an "ashworth" never heard of them, had a real retro look (VU meter and everythang). But it had a great phat sound close to that of the SVT....

You know what? after visiting the Ashdown web site it was in fact an ashdown amp I saw Macy Gray's bassist using. The ABM 500 watt combo w/4x10 was the beast. It sounded incredible. Big Phat tube sound in what I think is a solid state set up.
Although I was leaning on the stage I had a hard time reading the amp's logo.
Thanks for clearing that up. I'm gonna have to go try one of these puppies out.
Peace

Originally posted by Petebass Is it just me or does she sound like Donald Duck?

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I guess it's subjective, but after seeing her live she is the SH*T. She is incredibly captivating. Spellbinding. A total pro. One of a kind to be sure.
Her band was smokin' hot too. I highly recommend her show for any of you funksters out there.

A gal called "Lamya" opened for her and was very very good as well. Kind of a pop billy holiday.